What benifit do we see from the rates

[irishmonkey]

shops say the high prices are due to the rates imposed on them.
what benefit do we see from this tax?
we pay for parking
we pay for the roads with road tax
we pay for bins.
etc
etc
the only thing i can find worth while is the street sweepers.
is the fire brigade funded by this tax?
what is it that is now free/reduced price because of this tax?
in what way is cork city and county improved because of this?

[The Gut]

:rolleyes:shops say the high prices are due to the rates imposed on them.
what benefit do we see from this tax?
we pay for parking
we pay for the roads with road tax
we pay for bins.
etc
etc
the only thing i can find worth while is the street sweepers.
is the fire brigade funded by this tax?
what is it that is now free/reduced price because of this tax?
in what way is cork city and county improved because of this?

Facepalm

[gaffer falls]

Lots of cushy jobs for the boys, slush fund for lots of things, nice conracts for well in businesses, lik spendindg 2mil on a cycle path in Carrigaline

[BarneyMagee]

In broad strokes:
Cork City Council spends about €200 million a year on day to day spending.

On income business rates account for about €60 million or 31% of day to day income.
Rent from council houses is 10%, bin charges are 4%, parking, planing feees, commercial water and other service charges are 24%, while Government grants make up the remainding 31% approx.

How its spent is:
21% on Housing (Housing maintenance, rental allowance, disabled persons grant)
16% on Roads (Public lights, national & non national roads, road safety and traffic lights)
12% on Water (Water Supply and treatment)
5% on Development (Forward planning, planning enforcement, tourism promotion and building control)
23% on Environment (Landfill, recycling, street cleaning, burial grounds, fire brigade)
12% Recreation (Parks, leisure centres, libraries, the arts)
8% Education (The VEC & education grants)
3% Miscellaneous (Coroner and morgue costs, Lord Mayor and councillors salaries)

I think the council is holding a budget meeting soon so will probably change a few things but that's roughly how they spend the money and take it in.

[irishmonkey]

holy crap a decent to the point no bullshit answer on PROC!!!!
thanks Barney